Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010	Sep. 25, 2011	Sep. 26, 2010
Total revenues	$ 305,668,000	$ 273,126,000	$ 911,669,000	$ 839,559,000
Income (loss) from the franchise cheese-purchasing program, net of noncontrolling interest		(409,000)		4,573,000
General and administrative expenses	27,332,000	27,133,000	84,023,000	83,983,000
Other general expenses	4,777,000	2,643,000	7,017,000	6,620,000
Depreciation and amortization	7,974,000	8,067,000	24,711,000	24,122,000
Total costs and expenses	288,710,000	259,343,000	848,345,000	775,035,000
Operating income	16,958,000	13,783,000	63,324,000	64,524,000
Investment income	170,000	173,000	552,000	601,000
Interest expense	(282,000)	(1,416,000)	(1,183,000)	(3,993,000)
Income before income taxes	16,846,000.0	12,540,000.0	62,693,000.0	61,132,000.0
Income tax expense	4,906,000	4,020,000	20,151,000	20,545,000
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	11,940,000.0	8,520,000.0	42,542,000.0	40,587,000.0
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(817,000)	(672,000)	(2,868,000)	(2,672,000)
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	11,123,000	7,848,000	39,674,000	37,915,000
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.45	$ 0.30	$ 1.57	$ 1.43
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$ 0.44	$ 0.30	$ 1.55	$ 1.42
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	24,964	25,951	25,302	26,586
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	25,146	26,081	25,528	26,743
Domestic Company-owned Restaurant [Member]
Revenue from external customers	128,787,000	120,414,000	395,099,000	374,652,000
Cost of sales	32,229,000	27,245,000	94,491,000	81,551,000
Salaries and benefits	35,012,000	33,320,000	107,028,000	102,915,000
Advertising and related costs	11,790,000	11,264,000	36,477,000	33,817,000
Occupancy costs	8,496,000	8,494,000	24,304,000	24,264,000
Other operating expenses	18,858,000	18,184,000	57,265,000	54,218,000
Total costs and expenses	106,385,000	98,507,000	319,565,000	296,765,000
North America [Member]
Franchise royalties	17,967,000	16,653,000	55,801,000	52,138,000
Franchise and development fees	155,000	149,000	464,000	460,000
Other sales	12,368,000	12,138,000	38,185,000	39,674,000
Domestic Commissaries [Member]
Revenue from external customers	130,870,000	111,884,000	379,569,000	338,460,000
International [Member]
Royalties and franchise and development fees	4,054,000	3,316,000	11,865,000	9,635,000
Operating expenses	9,634,000	7,627,000	26,118,000	21,833,000
International Restaurant and Commissaries [Member]
Revenue from external customers	11,467,000	8,572,000	30,686,000	24,540,000
Domestic Commissary and Other [Member]
Cost of sales	110,387,000	94,422,000	320,359,000	284,909,000
Salaries and benefits	8,840,000	8,533,000	26,502,000	25,833,000
Other operating expenses	13,381,000	12,002,000	40,050,000	35,543,000
Total costs and expenses	$ 132,608,000	$ 114,957,000	$ 386,911,000	$ 346,285,000